IFA ask Army: What’s your beef?

SOME ration packs issued to Irish troops contained Brazilian beef, it was confirmed yesterday after the Irish Farmers’ Association called on Defence Minister Willie O’Dea to investigate the practice.

The Defence Forces explained that only 500 packed rations from a consignment of 30,000 contained Brazilian beef, sourced through a British company, which is licensed by the European Union.

A spokesman pointed out that the rations are approved for consumption by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and that EU authorities have stated that beef from Brazil is safe to eat.